Autumn in Kyoto: Why I Think Fall is the Best Time to Visit Kyoto 2026

I’ve realized that visiting Kyoto, and actually Japan in general, is such a different experience depending on the time of the year you choose to visit. I guess that makes sense because Japan has proper seasons, ranging from hot and humid summers to cold and snowy winters.

Kyoto, in particular, is known for its stunning fall foliage and mild temperatures, which honestly make autumn one of the best times to visit. I actually visited Kyoto in November, and I loved it. I loved the temperatures where some days I had to wear a coat, but on others, a T-shirt was totally fine. Also, seeing the first hints of that famous fall foliage was just magical.

In this little guide, I want to give you some insights from my own experience spending autumn in Kyoto, and I’ll tell you why I think it’s a top-tier time to visit (and a few things you should be prepared for!).

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Autumn in Kyoto: Why I Think Fall is the Best Time to Visit Kyoto 2026

Autumn in Kyoto – My Experience

I personally visited Kyoto at the very beginning of November, and in my head, I thought it would be super cold with loads of fall foliage everywhere. I was basically preparing for a full-on winter trip!

Well, I guess I didn’t realize just how long the warm weather actually lasts in Japan. I had some days in Kyoto where I was walking around in a T-shirt! The sky was blue, the sun was out, and it was just beautiful. So, definitely don’t let the “autumn” label fool you, it can still be quite warm.

However, I’ll be honest: I also had some rainy and chillier days where I was definitely reaching for a sweater or a coat. Even so, I had an amazing time, and I actually thought that type of weather was perfect for exploring all the temples and sights.

Personally, I’d much rather have slightly colder days than be sweaty all day while hiking up to a shrine, if that makes sense!

As far as the fall foliage goes, I was a little disappointed during my time in Kyoto, but I guess that’s on me because I was just too early. I visited in early November and only saw a few hints of the colors changing. I did get to see the proper, peak fall foliage later on in my trip when I was visiting Mount Fuji, but while I was in Kyoto, it was mostly just “splashes” of color here and there.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved that everything was still so lush and green (I’ll include some pictures in this guide so you can see what it looked like!). But if you’re looking to see that iconic sea of red and orange, I would definitely recommend aiming for late November instead. That seems to be the sweet spot!

Weather in Kyoto in Fall

I hinted at this already, but from my experience, the weather in Kyoto during the fall is a total mixed bag.

I was there during the first week of November, and I literally saw it all! Some days I was just wearing jeans and a T-shirt under a beautiful blue sky. Other days were sunny but surprisingly cold, and I had to bundle up in a coat.

Then, of course, there were the days when it rained non-stop, and I had to pop into a 7-Eleven to buy an umbrella (by the way, they have them for about $5, and they’re actually decent!).

Honestly, I would take that kind of weather any day of the week over the hot summer days in Kyoto. I actually enjoyed the cozy feeling of bundling up, and even wandering around with an umbrella on those gloomy, rainy days was such a vibe.

There’s something so nice about exploring the city in the rain and then hopping into a cute little ramen spot to warm up.

What I definitely wouldn’t enjoy is being hot and sweaty in the Kyoto summer, because trust me, that is exactly what Japanese summers are like. That’s why, despite the occasional rain, I still think autumn in Kyoto is the absolute perfect time to visit.

Crowds in Kyoto in Autumn

I’ll be honest, I don’t really have my own experience to compare the autumn crowds in Kyoto to the springtime crowds, for example.

However, I’ve seen those reels and videos of absolutely insane crowds at the famous spots, where the Bamboo Forest and temples like Fushimi Inari Shrine look just packed to the brim.

When I visited in the fall, it was definitely busy, but not to the point where it ruined the experience for me.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove was a bit crowded when I arrived, but for most temples, I just made an effort to get there really early. For instance, I got to the Yasaka Pagoda at 7:00 AM, and it worked out perfectly, I managed to dodge the worst of the crowds that way.

I don’t really mind missing out on a sleep-in if it means I get the place to myself! So, while I’d say fall in Kyoto is still fairly busy, in my experience, it didn’t feel quite as overwhelming as what you see during the peak cherry blossom season. If you’re willing to set an early alarm, you’ll be totally fine.

Best Fall Foliage in Kyoto

As I mentioned before, I actually kind of missed out on the peak foliage just because I arrived in Kyoto a little too early. It wasn’t even my main goal to catch the fall colors, I just happened to be visiting Japan at this time of year, so I didn’t realize that early November is actually still quite “green.”

I was there in the first week of November, and it turns out that’s totally normal! Even though I was expecting fiery reds and oranges everywhere, a lot of the trees in and around the city were still super lush and green. I did get to see a few hints of color starting to pop out here and there, but that was about it.

If you are planning your trip specifically to see the fall foliage, Kiyomizu-dera would definitely be one of the best places to go. I went there and the nature surrounding the temple was so beautiful, even in green. I honestly remember standing there and saying to myself, “I wish there were more colors around here right now!”

So, if fall foliage is the main reason you’re coming to Kyoto, learn from my experience: aim for late November. That is when the city truly turns into that sea of red and gold you see in all the pictures. Early November is great for mild weather and smaller crowds, but late November is the winner for the colors!

Best Things to Do in Kyoto in Fall

Visit Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto, full stop. It’s built on a hillside and surrounded by massive trees and forest. Even though I was there while all the leaves were still green, the views were still insane. I can only imagine how stunning it looks when that entire valley turns red and orange in the peak of fall.

Jojakko-ji Temple

This is actually one of my favorite temples in Kyoto. It’s located right next to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, but weirdly enough, not many people seem to know about it! Again, same story for me—the leaves were still green when I visited, but the moss and the quiet atmosphere were so peaceful. I bet during the peak of fall foliage, this place is a total hidden gem.

Day Trip to Nara

I had such an amazing trip to Nara! To be fair, it rained the entire day I was there, but my mom always used to say, “You’re not made out of sugar, right?” (meaning you won’t melt!). So, I grabbed my umbrella and spent the whole day feeding the cute deer and visiting the massive temples. Even in the rain, Nara in the fall has such a cozy, mystical vibe that I wouldn’t have traded for anything.

Book Here: Day Trip to Nara

Best Places to Stay in Kyoto in Fall

Kyoto has some of the most amazing hotels and accommodations, and I’m saying that because I love how traditional everything is here and that includes where you sleep!

In my book, fall is always a little rainy and chilly outside, so when I’m indoors, I want to be cozy. There is nothing cozier in Kyoto than a ryokan.

In case you don’t know what that is, let me explain: a ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style guesthouse. They usually have traditional tatami mat flooring, futon-style mattresses to sleep on, and they almost always come with an amazing Japanese breakfast in the morning.

I’ve stayed at a ryokan before and the one I chose was super authentic but fairly basic. However, they also do high-end luxury ryokans as well, where you get your own spas and onsens (Japanese hot baths). I honestly couldn’t imagine anything better than soaking in a hot onsen on a cold fall day in Kyoto!

Just so you get a better idea of what I’m talking about, here are a few of my top recommendations for staying cozy this autumn:

Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo: This place is basically made for autumn. It’s right next to Nanzen-ji Temple (a huge spot for fall colors) and the garden views from the rooms are just unreal when the leaves start to turn.
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto Bettei: If you want that luxury vibe I mentioned, this is it. It’s a bit of a hotel-ryokan hybrid, so you get the traditional feel but with the bonus of private open-air baths on the balcony. Soaking there while looking out at the chilly Kyoto skyline? Absolute heaven.

This is the view from the onsen in the **Sora Niwa Terrace Hotel**!

FAQs About Fall in Kyoto

What are the best things to do in Kyoto in November?

Funny enough, November is actually exactly when I was in Kyoto! My favorite things to do were definitely visiting all the temples and shrines. The temperatures were super mild, so it was really nice just being outside and exploring all day without getting too hot or too cold.

What are the best places to visit in Kyoto in Fall?

I’d say temples like Jojakko-ji and Kiyomizu-dera are the absolute best. Both are stunning temples surrounded by lush greenery, which turns into the most beautiful fall foliage once the season really hits. Even if you’re a little early like I was, the nature around these spots is still incredible.

What is the best time of the year to visit Kyoto?

I would actually say autumn is the best season to visit Kyoto. If I had to pick a specific time, late November is probably the winner because that’s when the fall foliage is at its peak, which is a total highlight not just in Kyoto, but all over Japan.

Is Kyoto worth visiting?

Absolutely! In fact, Kyoto is my favorite city out of all the ones I’ve visited in Japan. As much as I love modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka, I was obsessed with the tradition and history in Kyoto. The beautiful shrines, temples, and Japanese architecture just have a vibe you can’t find anywhere else.

Final Thoughts on Kyoto Fall Foliage

All in all, I think autumn is the best time to visit Kyoto and honestly, anywhere in Japan. If I’m being precise, I’d probably prefer late November or even early December as my personal sweet spot.

The reason is that, for me, Japan is all about the culture, the exploring, and really getting to know the cities, and I just much prefer doing that in mild temperatures. Summer in Japan would be the worst time for me personally. I remember being in Taiwan in the summer and I was literally sweating all day, every day, just trying to wander around. It was not great, I can tell you that!

Kyoto has a quaint, cozy atmosphere that just goes so well with slightly colder or even gloomier weather. It makes ducking into a ramen shop or a tea house feel that much more fun and cozy.

I hope this quick little guide gave you a good idea of what autumn in Kyoto is like and helps you decide if it’s the right time for your trip. Trust me, you won’t regret it!